US5736219A - Absorbent nonwoven fabric - Google Patents

Absorbent nonwoven fabric Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5736219A
US5736219A US08/661,858 US66185896A US5736219A US 5736219 A US5736219 A US 5736219A US 66185896 A US66185896 A US 66185896A US 5736219 A US5736219 A US 5736219A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fiber
fabric
coverage
segments
nonwoven fabric
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/661,858
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Susan Lynn Suehr
Linda J. McMeekin
James E. Knox
Frank J. Flesch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PGI Polymer Inc
Original Assignee
McNeil PPC Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by McNeil PPC Inc filed Critical McNeil PPC Inc
Priority to US08/661,858 priority Critical patent/US5736219A/en
Priority to US08/883,462 priority patent/US6030686A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5736219A publication Critical patent/US5736219A/en
Priority to US09/418,264 priority patent/US6509079B1/en
Assigned to PGI POLYMER, INC. reassignment PGI POLYMER, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JOHNSON & JOHNSON, MCNEILL-PPC, INC.
Assigned to CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: CHICOPEE, INC., FIBERTECH GROUP, INC., PGI POLYMER, INC., POLY-BOND INC., POLYMER GROUP, INC.
Assigned to POLYMER GROUP, INC., CHICOPEE, INC., PGI POLYMER, INC. reassignment POLYMER GROUP, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Assigned to WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: PGI POLYMER, INC.
Assigned to CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: PGI POLYMER, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to PGI POLYMER, INC. reassignment PGI POLYMER, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CITIBANK, N.A.
Assigned to PGI POLYMER, INC. reassignment PGI POLYMER, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H18/00—Needling machines
    • D04H18/04—Needling machines with water jets
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/44—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
    • D04H1/46—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres
    • D04H1/48—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation
    • D04H1/49—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation entanglement by fluid jet in combination with another consolidation means
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/44—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
    • D04H1/46—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres
    • D04H1/492—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres by fluid jet
    • D04H1/495—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres by fluid jet for formation of patterns, e.g. drilling or rearrangement
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/70—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
    • D04H1/72—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged
    • D04H1/736—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged characterised by the apparatus for arranging fibres
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24058—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
    • Y10T428/24124—Fibers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24132—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in different layers or components parallel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/2419—Fold at edge
    • Y10T428/24215—Acute or reverse fold of exterior component
    • Y10T428/24231—At opposed marginal edges
    • Y10T428/2424—Annular cover
    • Y10T428/24248—One piece
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24273—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including aperture
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/2457—Parallel ribs and/or grooves
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24595—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness and varying density
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24595—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness and varying density
    • Y10T428/24603—Fiber containing component
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
    • Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
    • Y10T442/643—Including parallel strand or fiber material within the nonwoven fabric
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
    • Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
    • Y10T442/682—Needled nonwoven fabric
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
    • Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
    • Y10T442/689—Hydroentangled nonwoven fabric

Definitions

  • Nonwoven fabrics were developed in an attempt to produce an inexpensive fabric by eliminating many of the various steps required to produce woven or knitted fabrics.
  • nonwoven fabrics were produced from card or air-laid webs of fibers which were bonded with a chemical binder. Such fabrics have relatively limited usage because their strength characteristics were poor compared to woven or knitted fabrics and their absorbency and softness characteristics left something to be desired because of the use of chemical binders.
  • Major advances were made in eliminating or considerably reducing the amount of binder used in a nonwoven fabric by rearranging or entangling the fibers in a fibrous web to produce what are termed "yarn like" fiber segments and entangled fiber areas. Methods and apparatus for producing fabrics of this nature are more fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • Nonwoven fabrics of the present invention have substantially uniform absorbent characteristics in all directions within the plane of the fabric.
  • the nonwoven fabric has a repeating pattern of three interconnected fiber arrays.
  • the first fiber array of the fabric comprises a plurality of parallel fiber segments.
  • the second fiber array comprises a plurality of twisted and turned fiber segments that form a band disposed substantially perpendicular to the parallel fiber segments of the first fiber array.
  • the second fiber array is disposed adjacent the first fiber array.
  • the nonwoven fabric of the present invention includes a third fiber array which interconnects the first and second fiber arrays.
  • the third fiber array comprises a plurality of highly entangled fiber segments.
  • Nonwoven fabrics of the present invention have uniform absorbent characteristics such that the pattern of absorption of fluid by the fabric has a mean roundness factor of 0.6 or greater. Also, the pattern of absorption has a generally smooth perimeter such that it has a mean form factor of 0.7 or greater.
  • Nonwoven fabrics of the present invention have a generally sinusoidal fiber distribution curve over their cross-sectional area.
  • This generally sinusoidal fiber distribution curve of the fabrics of the present invention must meet certain criteria. We have found that one way of defining and measuring these criteria is by mathematically defining the fiber distribution curve. The curve may be defined by the average percentage of area covered by fibers, the cycles or periodicity of the curve and the average amplitude of the curve. We have found that the fabrics of the present invention have a fiber distribution index of at least 600 and preferably at least 800.
  • This fiber distribution index is determined by multiplying the average percentage of area of fiber coverage in a specific measured cross-sectional area of the fabric by one-half the number of clearly identifiable points of minimum fiber coverage over said specific cross-sectional area and dividing this figure by the average amplitude of the fiber distribution curve.
  • FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of a nonwoven fabric of the present invention enlarged about 20 times;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the nonwoven fabric photomicrographed in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3a is a computerized image of the fibers of the cross-section of the fabric depicted in FIG. 1 from which a fiber distribution curve is produced;
  • FIG. 4 is a generally sinusoidal fiber distribution developed from the image depicted in FIG. 3a;
  • FIG. 5 is a photograph of an absorbency pattern produced by a nonwoven fabric of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of one type of apparatus for producing nonwoven fabrics of the preset invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of another type of apparatus for producing the nonwoven fabrics of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of one type of topographic support member that may be used in the apparatus depicted in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of yet another type of topographical support member that may be used to produce the fabrics of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a photo micrograph of another nonwoven fabric in accordance with the present invention enlarged about 20 times.
  • FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of a nonwoven fabric 20 of the present invention at an enlargement of about 20 times.
  • the fabric has a repeating pattern of three interconnected fiber arrays.
  • the first fiber array 21 is a plurality of parallel fiber segments.
  • the second fiber array 22, which is adjacent to the first array, is a plurality of twisted and turned fiber segments that form a band.
  • the band is disposed substantially perpendicular to the parallel fiber segments.
  • the third fiber array 23 interconnects the first and second arrays and comprises a plurality of highly entangled fiber segments.
  • FIG. 2 there is a schematic representation of a nonwoven fabric of the present invention.
  • the bands 25 of twisted and turned fiber segments more or less form ribs extending longitudinally of the fabric 26.
  • a plurality of highly entangled fiber segments 27 which extend longitudinally of the fabric.
  • Adjacent the plurality of highly entangled fiber segment areas and connecting the adjacent areas are a plurality of parallel fiber segments 28. These parallel fiber segments are disposed substantially perpendicular to the bands of twisted and turned fiber segments.
  • FIG. 3a is a computerized image of is a cross-sectional view of the fabric depicted in FIG. 1.
  • the bands of twisted and turned fiber segments are the thickest areas of the fabric, whereas, the plurality of parallel fiber segments are the thinnest areas of the fabric.
  • These two areas as described above are connected to each other by an area comprising a plurality of highly entangled fiber segments.
  • the fabrics of the present invention are durable. That is, they have substantial strength even in the absence of binder. Furthermore, the fabrics of the present invention have a unique fiber distribution which provides the fabrics not only with their durability but also with uniform absorbent characteristics.
  • the fiber distribution of fabrics may be determined by image analysis of the fabric. Imaging analysis using image analyzers such as the Leica Quantimet Q520 have become relatively standard techniques for determining the fiber distribution in fabrics. An image analysis is carried out on a cross-sectional area of the fabric. A piece of fabric is cut to a size of about 1" in the machine direction of the fabric and 3" in the cross-direction of the fabric. The fabric is dried to remove moisture and then embedded in a transparent resin as is well known in the art. In the embedding process, the fabric is maintained in a relatively relaxed state. Once the fabric has been appropriately embedded in a resin, a low speed saw may be used to slice off sections in the cross direction of the fabric. The cut or sliced sections have a thickness of from about 6 to 8 mils.
  • FIG. 3a A typical image formed by such an image analyzer is shown in FIG. 3a.
  • the image analyzer uses a computer to quantify images.
  • the fabric cross section is imaged through a microscope such as an Olympus SZH model equipped with a stabilized transmitter light source.
  • a video camera links the microscope to the image analyzer.
  • This image is transformed to an electronic signal suitable for analysis.
  • the stabilized light source on the microscope is used to produce an image of a suitable visual contrast such that the fiber in the cross section are various shades from gray to black and are readily distinguishable from the pale gray to white resin background as more clearly shown in FIG. 3a.
  • This image is divided into sample points or pixels for measurement.
  • the fiber distribution in the cross-section may be characterized by the variation across the section and can be expressed as the area in square millimeters of fibers in a specified rectangular measuring frame.
  • the specific measuring frame is 17 pixels wide by 130 pixels high or approximately 95 square millimeters.
  • the fiber cover or the area of fiber within the measured frame is detected and measured.
  • the measuring frame is then advanced two pixels across the cross-sectional area and the measurement repeated for that adjacent area. This is accomplished anywhere from 200 to 300 times depending on the size of the cross-section.
  • the fiber area in each specific measured area is then plotted on a graph such as that shown in FIG. 4.
  • the amount of fiber coverage is plotted along the ordinate or Y axis and the position of the specific measured area from the starting point is plotted along the abscissa or X axis.
  • approximately 232 specific sized areas are measured along the cross-section of the fabric.
  • the amount of fiber in each specific measured area is plotted and as may be seen in FIG. 4 varies from about 0.10 or 10% of the measured area being covered by fiber to about 0.30 or 30% of the measured area being covered by fiber.
  • the height of the area should be such that it is greater than any fabric thickness.
  • the width of the area should be selected to give good resolution of fiber areas.
  • Fiber distribution index of the fabric may then be determined from this graph.
  • the curve is a generally sinusoidal curve and the fiber distribution index is determined by multiplying the average fiber area covered by the number of clearly identifiable points of minimum fiber coverage over the cross-sectional area and dividing this figure by the average amplitude of the fiber distribution curve.
  • the average fiber area covered is depicted by the dotted line A.
  • that area of coverage is about 0.23 or 23% of the area of the specific measured area.
  • the cycles or repeats are indicated by the numerals I, II, III, IV.
  • the repeats I through III there are a total of 12 maximum and minimum points so there are an average of 4 maximum and minimums in each repeat.
  • the average amplitude is determined by measuring the amount of fiber difference between the maximum fiber coverage points and the average fiber coverage and the amount of fiber difference between the minimum fiber coverage points and the average fiber coverage.
  • a maximum fiber coverage point is where the slope of the curve changes from a positive slope to a negative slope.
  • a minimum fiber coverage point is where the slope of the curve changes from a negative slope to a positive slope.
  • the change in slope to be considered a maximum or minimum should occur over at least six measuring frames or a twelve pixel distance.
  • the average amplitude of the curve in FIG. 4 is 0.04.
  • the fiber distribution index of this fabric may then be determined by multiplying the average fiber area coverage of 23% times the cycles or periodicity which is 2, divided by the average amplitude of the curve, which is 0.04, to give a fiber distribution index of 1150.
  • the fiber distribution index of fabrics of the present invention are greater than 600 and preferably are in the range from about 800 to 3300.
  • the fiber distribution index of the fabrics of the prior art are usually considerably lower than 400. In fact, some of the art will have a fiber distribution index of 100 or even lower.
  • the fabrics of the present invention will have an average fiber area coverage of from 13% to 24%, a periodicity of from 1.3 to 4, and an average amplitude of from 0.02 to 0.06.
  • the fabrics of the present invention have excellent durability, they also surprisingly and unexpectedly have very desirable absorbent characteristics.
  • the fabrics of the present invention have relatively uniform absorbent characteristics in that their pattern of absorption has substantially a round shape. Also the perimeter of absorption pattern is relatively smooth.
  • An absorbent pattern of a fabric of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 5.
  • the absorbent pattern is produced using a test solution of 0.05% Sandolan Rhodamine Red Dye in water.
  • An eye dropper is filled with the test solution.
  • One drop of solution is applied to the fabric being tested.
  • the eye dropper delivers a drop which results in an absorbent pattern of about one inch diameter.
  • the fabric is supported in such a way that there is no contact between fabric and any substrate which could influence the absorbent pattern.
  • a series of drops (at least ten on each side of the fabric) are applied and spaced far enough apart that one drop does not interfere with any adjacent drop. In application, the dropper is positioned approximately one centimeter above the fabric surface and a single drop is expelled from the dropper onto the fabric surface.
  • the supported fabric is allowed to air dry prior to image analysis.
  • the roundness and the perimeter smoothness of the absorption pattern are placed under a microscope and using appropriate computer software is measured for roundness and for form.
  • the roundness is determined by measuring the area of the absorption pattern and also measuring the length that is the longest diameter of the pattern.
  • the roundness factor is determined by multiplying the area of the pattern times 4 and dividing this figure by "pi" times the length of the longest diameter squared.
  • the roundness for a perfect circle is 1.
  • the roundness of the absorption patterns of fabrics of the present invention have a mean roundness factor of at least 0.6 and preferably from about 0.65 to 1.0.
  • the form factor of the absorbent pattern is determined by measuring the area of the absorption pattern and the perimeter of the absorption pattern.
  • the form factor is equal to 4 times "pi" times the area of the absorption pattern divided by the perimeter squared of the absorption pattern. For a perfectly smooth circle, the form factor is 1.
  • the absorption pattern of the fabrics of the present invention have a mean form factor of at least 0.7 and preferably from about 0.75 to 1.0.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of apparatus which may be used to produce fabrics of the present invention.
  • the apparatus includes a movable conveyer belt 55. Placed on top of this belt to move with the belt is a topographically novel configured support member 56.
  • the support member has a plurality of longitudinally extending raised triangular areas. Holes, or openings extending through the support member, are disposed between triangular areas as will be more fully discussed in conjunction with FIG. 8.
  • the fiber web 57 to be treated is disposed or supported by the apex of these triangular areas. Openings in the support member are disposed between the triangular areas. Specific forming members will be more fully described hereinafter. As previously mentioned, placed on top of this support member is a web of fibers.
  • the web may be a nonwoven web of carded fibers, air-laid fibers, melt blown fibers, or the like.
  • a manifold 58 for applying fluid 59, preferably water, through the fibrous web as the fibrous web is supported on the support member and moved on the conveyer belt beneath the manifold. The water may be applied at varying pressures.
  • a vacuum manifold 60 Disposed beneath the conveyer belt is a vacuum manifold 60 for removing water from the area as the web and support member are passed under the fluid manifold. In operation, the fiber web is placed on the support member and the fiber web and support member passed under the fluid manifold.
  • Water is applied to the fibers to wet out the fiber web to be certain the web is not removed or disrupted from its position on the support member on further treatment. Thereafter, the support member and web are passed beneath the manifold a series of times. During these passes, the pressure of the water of the manifold is increased from a starting pressure of about 100 PSI to pressures of 1000 PSI or more.
  • the manifold consists of a plurality of orifices of from about 4 to 100 or more holes per inch. Preferably, the number of holes in the manifold is from 13 to 70 per inch.
  • each triangular longitudinal rib has a height of about 0.085 inches.
  • the width at the base of the triangular areas is about 0.030 inches.
  • the distance between triangular areas is approximately 0.053 inches.
  • the holes in the support member have a diameter of about 0.044 inches and are spaced on 0.0762 inch centers.
  • FIG. 7 there is depicted an apparatus for continuously producing fabrics in accordance with the present invention.
  • the schematic representation includes a conveyer belt 80 which serves as the support member in accordance with the present invention.
  • the belt is continuously moved in a counterclockwise direction about spaced apart members as is well known in the art.
  • a fluid feeding manifold connecting a plurality of lines or groups 81 of orifices. Each group has one or more rows of fine diameter holes with 30 or more holes per inch.
  • the manifold is equipped with pressure gauges 87 and control valves 88 for regulating fluid pressure in each line or group of orifices.
  • a suction member 82 Disposed beneath each orifice line or group is a suction member 82 for removing excess water and to keep the water from causing undue flooding.
  • the fiber web 83 to be treated and formed into a fabric of the present invention is fed to the support member conveyer belt. Water is sprayed through an appropriate nozzle 84 onto the fibrous web to pre-soak or pre-water the web and aid in controlling the fibers as they pass under the pressure manifolds. A suction box 85 is placed beneath the water nozzle to remove excess water.
  • the fibrous web passes under the fluid feeding manifold with the manifold preferably having progressively increased pressures.
  • the first line of holes or orifices may supply fluid forces at 100 PSI while the next line of orifices may supply fluid forces at a pressure of 300 PSI and the last line of orifices may supply fluid forces at a pressure of 700 PSI.
  • the support member may be made from relatively rigid material and may comprise a plurality of slats. Each slat extends across the width of the conveyer and has a lip on one side and a shoulder on the opposite side so that the shoulder of one slot engages with the lip of an adjacent slot to allow for movement between adjacent slots and allow for these relatively rigid members to be used in the conveyer configuration shown in FIG. 7.
  • Each orifice strip comprises one or more rows of very fine diameter holes of approximately 1/5000 of an inch to 10/1000 of an inch in diameter. There are approximately 50 holes per inch across the orifice.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one type of support member that may be used to produce the fabrics of the present invention.
  • the member comprises a plate 90 having longitudinally spaced apart raised rib areas 91.
  • the plate has 12 of these raised rib areas per inch of width.
  • the raised areas have a triangular cross-sectional shape with the width at the bottom of the triangular being approximately 0.03 inches.
  • These ribs are 0.085 inches in height and come to a point having an occluded angle of about 20 degrees.
  • the base of the rib is spaced from the base of the adjacent rib about 0.053 inches. In this area between ribs there are openings 92 or holes in the plate. These openings also extend the length or longitudinally of the plate between each adjacent ribs.
  • the openings have a diameter of about 0.044 inches and are spaced on 0.0762 inch centers.
  • the raised areas of the support members used to produce the fabrics of the present invention should have a height of at least 0.02 inches. Their bottom width should be from about 0.04 inches to 0.08 inches and their top width must be less than or equal to the bottom width.
  • the cross sectional area is triangular so that the top width is in fact 0.
  • the spacing between adjacent raised areas should be at least 0.04 inches.
  • the openings in the spacing between adjacent areas should be from about 0.01 in. to 0.045 in. in diameter, with the distance between openings being from about 0.03 to 0.1 in.
  • Apparatus as depicted and described in regard to FIG. 2 is used to produce the fabric.
  • a 21/2 oz/per square yard fiber web of 100% cotton is prepared by taking a 11/2 ounce per square yard random web and laminating it on top of a one ounce per square yard carded web.
  • This laminated web is placed on a support member as described in conjunction with FIG. 8.
  • the support member and web are passed, at a speed of 92 feet per minute, under columnar jet streams produced from the orifices as depicted in FIG. 8. Three passes are made at a pressure of 100 PSI and 9 passes are made at pressure of 800 PSI.
  • the orifices have a 0.007 inch diameter and there are approximately 30 orifices per inch so that the energy applied is approximately 0.8 horse power hours per pound.
  • the web is spaced from the orifices approximately 0.75 inches.
  • the web is removed from the support member and turned over so that the opposite side of the web now faces the orifice jets.
  • the support member with the reversed web is placed under the water jets at a speed of 4 yards per minute.
  • the web and support member are passed once at 600 PSI and two additional passes at 1500 PSI.
  • the web is dried and the fiber distribution of the web determined.
  • the mean roundness factor of the absorbent pattern of this sample is approximately 0.6 and the mean form factor of the absorbent pattern of this sample is approximately 0.72.
  • support members used to produce the fabrics described previously all have had longitudinally extending ribs it is not necessary that the ribs be longitudinally extended.
  • Support members having horizontal ribs or diagonal ribs or combinations of diagonal, horizontal, and/or longitudinal ribs may be used to produce fabrics in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 there is shown another type of forming plate that may be used to produce fabrics of the present invention.
  • the member comprises a plate 94 having diagonally disposed raised rib areas 95.
  • the rib areas are disposed in a herringbone pattern.
  • the pattern is made of slanting parallel lines in rows with adjacent rows forming a V or inverted V.
  • Each rib has a triangular shape cross-section with the apex 96 of the triangle forming the upper surface of the member.
  • Between parallel rows of its areas at the base 97 of the triangle is a plurality of openings 98 or holes extending through the thickness of the plate.
  • FIG. 10 there is shown a photomicrograph of a fabric according to the present invention which was produced utilizing the support member depicted in FIG. 9.
  • the fabric depicted in FIG. 10 is prepared from a 21/3 oz. per sq. yd. fiber web of 100% cotton.
  • the web is pretreated by placing it on a 100 ⁇ 92 mesh bronze belt and passing the web under columnar water jet streams at 92 feet/min. Three passes under the streams at 100 psig are made followed by 9 passes at 800 psig.
  • the jet streams are produced from 0.007 in diameter orifices arranged in a line with 30 orifices per inch.
  • the web to orifice spacing is 0.75 inch.
  • the pretreated web is taken from the bronze belt and turned over and the surface of the pretreated web exposed to the water jet streams placed on a forming plate as depicted in FIG. 9.
  • the web and forming plate are passed under the columnar jet streams as described above at a speed of 90 ft/minute. One pass is made at 600 psig and 7 passes at 1400 psig. The treated web is removed from the forming plate and directed to produce the fabric shown in FIG. 10.
  • the fabric 1000 has a herring-bone pattern of three interconnected fiber arrays.
  • the first fiber array 101 comprises a plurality of fiber segments.
  • the second fiber array 102 is a band of twisted and turned fiber segments with the band disposed substantially perpendicular to the parallel fiber segments.
  • the third fiber array 103 in interconnects the first and second fiber arrays and comprises a plurality of highly entangled fiber segments.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Polarising Elements (AREA)
US08/661,858 1993-08-30 1996-06-11 Absorbent nonwoven fabric Expired - Lifetime US5736219A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/661,858 US5736219A (en) 1993-08-30 1996-06-11 Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US08/883,462 US6030686A (en) 1993-08-30 1997-06-26 Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US09/418,264 US6509079B1 (en) 1993-08-30 1999-10-14 Absorbent nonwoven fabric

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11292293A 1993-08-30 1993-08-30
US39871595A 1995-03-06 1995-03-06
US08/661,858 US5736219A (en) 1993-08-30 1996-06-11 Absorbent nonwoven fabric

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US39871595A Continuation 1993-08-30 1995-03-06

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/883,462 Division US6030686A (en) 1993-08-30 1997-06-26 Absorbent nonwoven fabric

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5736219A true US5736219A (en) 1998-04-07

Family

ID=22346567

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/661,858 Expired - Lifetime US5736219A (en) 1993-08-30 1996-06-11 Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US08/883,462 Expired - Lifetime US6030686A (en) 1993-08-30 1997-06-26 Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US09/418,264 Expired - Lifetime US6509079B1 (en) 1993-08-30 1999-10-14 Absorbent nonwoven fabric

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/883,462 Expired - Lifetime US6030686A (en) 1993-08-30 1997-06-26 Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US09/418,264 Expired - Lifetime US6509079B1 (en) 1993-08-30 1999-10-14 Absorbent nonwoven fabric

Country Status (20)

Country Link
US (3) US5736219A (es)
EP (1) EP0640708B1 (es)
JP (2) JP3691088B2 (es)
AT (1) ATE189490T1 (es)
AU (3) AU689785B2 (es)
BR (1) BR9403384A (es)
CA (1) CA2131063C (es)
CZ (1) CZ289595B6 (es)
DE (1) DE69422865T2 (es)
DK (1) DK0640708T3 (es)
ES (1) ES2143529T3 (es)
FI (1) FI943962A (es)
GR (1) GR3033322T3 (es)
HK (1) HK1004232A1 (es)
HU (1) HU218724B (es)
MY (1) MY111306A (es)
RU (1) RU2132893C1 (es)
SG (1) SG83077A1 (es)
TW (1) TW276278B (es)
ZA (1) ZA946570B (es)

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6030686A (en) * 1993-08-30 2000-02-29 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Absorbent nonwoven fabric
WO2000063479A1 (en) * 2000-04-18 2000-10-26 Lohmann Gmbh & Co. Kg Non woven textile structure incorporating stabilized filament assemblies
WO2001021873A1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2001-03-29 Weyerhaeuser Company Absorbent composite having fibrous bands
US6319455B1 (en) 1999-08-13 2001-11-20 First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. Nonwoven fabric with high CD elongation and method of making same
US6331268B1 (en) 1999-08-13 2001-12-18 First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. Nonwoven fabric with high CD elongation and method of making same
US6387471B1 (en) 1999-03-31 2002-05-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Creep resistant composite elastic material with improved aesthetics, dimensional stability and inherent latency and method of producing same
WO2002055778A1 (en) 2001-01-12 2002-07-18 Polymer Group, Inc. Hydroentanglement of continuous polymer filaments
US20020104608A1 (en) * 2000-05-15 2002-08-08 Welch Howard M. Method and apparatus for producing laminated articles
US6547915B2 (en) 1999-04-15 2003-04-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Creep resistant composite elastic material with improved aesthetics, dimensional stability and inherent latency and method of producing same
US6586076B1 (en) * 1999-10-04 2003-07-01 Uni-Charm Corporation Absorbent article and process for manufacturing the same
US6630054B1 (en) 1998-03-19 2003-10-07 Weyerhaeuser Company Methods for forming a fluted composite
US6649548B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-11-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Nonwoven web and film laminate with improved strength and method of making the same
US20040006323A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2004-01-08 Hall Gregory K. Garments using elastic strands to enhance performance of elastic barrier adhessive
US20040019343A1 (en) * 2000-05-15 2004-01-29 Olson Christopher Peter Garment having an apparent elastic band
US6703330B1 (en) 1999-09-21 2004-03-09 Weyerhaeuser Company Fluted absorbent composite
US6735832B1 (en) 2000-06-01 2004-05-18 Polymer Group, Inc. Process to produce imaged scrim composite nonwoven and product thereof
US6833179B2 (en) 2000-05-15 2004-12-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Targeted elastic laminate having zones of different basis weights
US6867346B1 (en) 1999-09-21 2005-03-15 Weyerhaeuser Company Absorbent composite having fibrous bands
US6903034B1 (en) 1999-04-07 2005-06-07 Polymer Group, Inc. Hydroentanglement of continuous polymer filaments
US20050142339A1 (en) * 2003-12-30 2005-06-30 Price Cindy L. Reinforced elastic laminate
US20060003656A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Efficient necked bonded laminates and methods of making same
US20060081348A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 2006-04-20 Graef Peter A Fluted composite and related absorbent articles
US20060131783A1 (en) * 2004-12-22 2006-06-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Machine and cross-machine direction elastic materials and methods of making same
US20070131367A1 (en) * 2005-12-12 2007-06-14 Mathews Jeffrey D Tissue containing relatively high basis weight buckled regions
US20070130713A1 (en) * 2005-12-14 2007-06-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Cleaning wipe with textured surface
US7923505B2 (en) 2002-07-02 2011-04-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. High-viscosity elastomeric adhesive composition
US8043984B2 (en) 2003-12-31 2011-10-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Single sided stretch bonded laminates, and methods of making same
EP1967628B2 (de) † 2007-03-08 2013-07-17 Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines Spinnvlieses
US9560950B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2017-02-07 Kao Corporation Bulky sheet and method for producing same
USD857402S1 (en) * 2016-09-01 2019-08-27 Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K. Seat belt material
USD858112S1 (en) 2016-09-01 2019-09-03 Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K. Seat belt material

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE69826306T2 (de) 1997-10-31 2005-02-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah Gekreppte vliesstoffe und einlage
WO2000033780A1 (en) * 1998-12-09 2000-06-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Creped materials for absorbent article
JP3854754B2 (ja) * 1999-06-30 2006-12-06 キヤノン株式会社 撮像装置、画像処理装置及びその方法、並びにメモリ媒体
WO2003095730A1 (en) * 2002-05-08 2003-11-20 Polymer Group, Inc. Nonwoven fabrics having intercalated three-dimensional images
EP1644564B1 (en) * 2003-07-11 2016-06-01 Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Limited Nonwoven spacer fabric
US7562424B2 (en) * 2005-07-25 2009-07-21 Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Low-density, non-woven structures and methods of making the same
US20070123131A1 (en) * 2005-07-25 2007-05-31 Hien Nguyen Low-density, non-woven structures and methods of making the same
US7562427B2 (en) * 2005-07-25 2009-07-21 Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Low-density, non-woven structures and methods of making the same
US7426776B2 (en) * 2007-02-07 2008-09-23 Milliken & Company Nonwoven towel with microsponges
DE102008033253A1 (de) * 2008-07-15 2010-01-21 Fleissner Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung strukturierter Vliesstoffe
JP5628564B2 (ja) * 2009-06-19 2014-11-19 ダイワボウホールディングス株式会社 不織布およびその製造方法、並びに拭き取り材
JP5712195B2 (ja) * 2012-12-04 2015-05-07 花王株式会社 拭き取りシート用不織布基材
JP5712194B2 (ja) * 2012-12-04 2015-05-07 花王株式会社 拭き取りシート用不織布基材
AU350385S (en) * 2013-01-15 2013-08-27 Air China Ltd Fabric
USD913707S1 (en) * 2019-02-04 2021-03-23 Hunter Douglas Inc. Fabric with pattern

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3486168A (en) * 1966-12-01 1969-12-23 Du Pont Tanglelaced non-woven fabric and method of producing same
US3906130A (en) * 1972-07-25 1975-09-16 Asahi Chemical Ind Non-woven and perforated textile fabrics made from continuous synthetic fiber, and a process for the manufacture of same
US4016319A (en) * 1974-09-17 1977-04-05 The Kendall Company Biaxially oriented nonwoven fabric having long and short fibers
US4183995A (en) * 1978-09-21 1980-01-15 The Kendall Company Octa-directional nonwoven fabric
US4925722A (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-05-15 International Paper Company Disposable semi-durable nonwoven fabric
US5098764A (en) * 1990-03-12 1992-03-24 Chicopee Non-woven fabric and method and apparatus for making the same
US5149332A (en) * 1982-06-30 1992-09-22 Richard R. Walton Absorbent and cushioning products and their manufacture

Family Cites Families (36)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1978620A (en) 1931-04-30 1934-10-30 Naugatuck Chem Co Sheet material and method of making the same
US2585692A (en) * 1949-09-01 1952-02-12 William M Scholl Cushioning and corrective insole
GB695522A (en) 1950-09-16 1953-08-12 Personal Products Corp Non-woven fabrics
NL114076C (es) 1954-06-16
US3104998A (en) 1954-12-06 1963-09-24 Kendall & Co Non-woven fabrics
US2862251A (en) * 1955-04-12 1958-12-02 Chicopee Mfg Corp Method of and apparatus for producing nonwoven product
US3025585A (en) 1959-11-19 1962-03-20 Chicopec Mfg Corp Apparatus and method for making nonwoven fabric
NL124233C (es) 1961-03-02 1900-01-01
DE1560701C3 (de) 1961-03-02 1973-11-15 Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, N.J. (V.St.A.) Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines ungewebten Faserstoffes
US3284857A (en) 1961-03-02 1966-11-15 Johnson & Johnson Apparatus for producing apertured non-woven fabrics
US3498874A (en) 1965-09-10 1970-03-03 Du Pont Apertured tanglelaced nonwoven textile fabric
US3379799A (en) 1965-10-20 1968-04-23 Papex Corp Method of making foamed plastics
US3485706A (en) 1968-01-18 1969-12-23 Du Pont Textile-like patterned nonwoven fabrics and their production
US3679535A (en) 1970-03-24 1972-07-25 Johnson & Johnson Nonwoven fabric comprising discontinuous groups of small holes connected by ribbons defining large holes
US3750237A (en) 1970-03-24 1973-08-07 Johnson & Johnson Method for producing nonwoven fabrics having a plurality of patterns
US3787932A (en) 1970-03-24 1974-01-29 Johnson & Johnson Method and apparatus (continuous imperforate portions on backing means of closed sandwich)
US3682756A (en) 1970-03-24 1972-08-08 Johnson & Johnson Nonwoven fabric comprising rosebuds bounded by bundles
US3750236A (en) 1970-03-24 1973-08-07 Johnson & Johnson Method and apparatus (discontinuous imperforate portions on backing means of open sandwich)
US3681182A (en) 1970-03-24 1972-08-01 Johnson & Johnson Nonwoven fabric comprising discontinuous large holes connected by fiber bundles defining small holes
US3800364A (en) 1970-03-24 1974-04-02 Johnson & Johnson Apparatus (discontinuous imperforate portions on backing means of closed sandwich)
US3917785A (en) 1971-01-27 1975-11-04 Johnson & Johnson Method for producing nonwoven fabric
DE2532576A1 (de) * 1974-08-09 1976-02-26 Cobra Metals Ltd Teppichbeschlag
US4070235A (en) 1974-09-17 1978-01-24 Marshall Preston F Method of making biaxially oriented nonwoven fabrics
CA1045431A (en) * 1975-12-19 1979-01-02 Preston F. Marshall Method of making biaxially oriented nonwoven fabrics
DE2557765A1 (de) 1975-12-20 1977-06-23 Hoechst Ag Omega-alkoxyderivate von lactamen und verfahren zu deren herstellung
DE3272328D1 (en) 1981-09-14 1986-09-04 Lely Nv C Van Der Device for spreading granular and/or powdery material
US4465726A (en) * 1983-06-23 1984-08-14 Chicopee Ribbed terry cloth-like nonwoven fabric and process and apparatus for making same
US4555430A (en) * 1984-08-16 1985-11-26 Chicopee Entangled nonwoven fabric made of two fibers having different lengths in which the shorter fiber is a conjugate fiber in which an exposed component thereof has a lower melting temperature than the longer fiber and method of making same
US4857379A (en) * 1986-10-24 1989-08-15 Verseidag Industrietextilien Gmbh Sheetlike structure of fibers, especially as a reinforcement for plastics components
JPH0737702B2 (ja) 1986-12-31 1995-04-26 ユニ・チヤ−ム株式会社 開孔模様を有する不織布
US5062418A (en) * 1989-01-31 1991-11-05 Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc. Napped nonwoven fabric having high bulk and absorbency
US5244711A (en) * 1990-03-12 1993-09-14 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Apertured non-woven fabric
US5204158A (en) * 1991-05-30 1993-04-20 Chicopee Irregular patterned entangled nonwoven fabrics and their production
RU2132893C1 (ru) * 1993-08-30 1999-07-10 Макнейл Ппс, Инк. Нетканый материал (варианты)
AU693461B2 (en) * 1993-09-13 1998-07-02 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Tricot nonwoven fabric
US5674591A (en) * 1994-09-16 1997-10-07 James; William A. Nonwoven fabrics having raised portions

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3486168A (en) * 1966-12-01 1969-12-23 Du Pont Tanglelaced non-woven fabric and method of producing same
US3906130A (en) * 1972-07-25 1975-09-16 Asahi Chemical Ind Non-woven and perforated textile fabrics made from continuous synthetic fiber, and a process for the manufacture of same
US4016319A (en) * 1974-09-17 1977-04-05 The Kendall Company Biaxially oriented nonwoven fabric having long and short fibers
US4183995A (en) * 1978-09-21 1980-01-15 The Kendall Company Octa-directional nonwoven fabric
US5149332A (en) * 1982-06-30 1992-09-22 Richard R. Walton Absorbent and cushioning products and their manufacture
US4925722A (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-05-15 International Paper Company Disposable semi-durable nonwoven fabric
US5098764A (en) * 1990-03-12 1992-03-24 Chicopee Non-woven fabric and method and apparatus for making the same

Cited By (40)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6509079B1 (en) 1993-08-30 2003-01-21 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US6030686A (en) * 1993-08-30 2000-02-29 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US20040065420A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 2004-04-08 Weyerhaeuser Company Methods for forming a fluted composite
US20060005934A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 2006-01-12 Graef Peter A Methods for forming a fluted composite
US6630054B1 (en) 1998-03-19 2003-10-07 Weyerhaeuser Company Methods for forming a fluted composite
US7166190B2 (en) 1998-03-19 2007-01-23 National Institute For Strategic Technology Acquisistion And Commercialization Methods for forming a fluted composite
US20060081348A1 (en) * 1998-03-19 2006-04-20 Graef Peter A Fluted composite and related absorbent articles
US6649548B1 (en) 1998-10-02 2003-11-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Nonwoven web and film laminate with improved strength and method of making the same
US6387471B1 (en) 1999-03-31 2002-05-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Creep resistant composite elastic material with improved aesthetics, dimensional stability and inherent latency and method of producing same
US6903034B1 (en) 1999-04-07 2005-06-07 Polymer Group, Inc. Hydroentanglement of continuous polymer filaments
US6547915B2 (en) 1999-04-15 2003-04-15 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Creep resistant composite elastic material with improved aesthetics, dimensional stability and inherent latency and method of producing same
US6436512B1 (en) 1999-08-13 2002-08-20 First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. Nonwoven fabric with high CD elongation and method of making same
US6331268B1 (en) 1999-08-13 2001-12-18 First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. Nonwoven fabric with high CD elongation and method of making same
US6319455B1 (en) 1999-08-13 2001-11-20 First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. Nonwoven fabric with high CD elongation and method of making same
US6867346B1 (en) 1999-09-21 2005-03-15 Weyerhaeuser Company Absorbent composite having fibrous bands
US6703330B1 (en) 1999-09-21 2004-03-09 Weyerhaeuser Company Fluted absorbent composite
WO2001021873A1 (en) * 1999-09-21 2001-03-29 Weyerhaeuser Company Absorbent composite having fibrous bands
US6586076B1 (en) * 1999-10-04 2003-07-01 Uni-Charm Corporation Absorbent article and process for manufacturing the same
US20030036329A1 (en) * 2000-04-18 2003-02-20 Lohmann Gmbh & Co Kg Non woven textile structure incorporating stabilized filament assemblies
US6962042B2 (en) 2000-04-18 2005-11-08 Vliesstoff-Technologie In 3. Dimension Kg Non woven textile structure incorporating stabilized filament assemblies
WO2000063479A1 (en) * 2000-04-18 2000-10-26 Lohmann Gmbh & Co. Kg Non woven textile structure incorporating stabilized filament assemblies
US6833179B2 (en) 2000-05-15 2004-12-21 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Targeted elastic laminate having zones of different basis weights
US20040019343A1 (en) * 2000-05-15 2004-01-29 Olson Christopher Peter Garment having an apparent elastic band
US8182457B2 (en) 2000-05-15 2012-05-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Garment having an apparent elastic band
US20020104608A1 (en) * 2000-05-15 2002-08-08 Welch Howard M. Method and apparatus for producing laminated articles
US6735832B1 (en) 2000-06-01 2004-05-18 Polymer Group, Inc. Process to produce imaged scrim composite nonwoven and product thereof
WO2002055778A1 (en) 2001-01-12 2002-07-18 Polymer Group, Inc. Hydroentanglement of continuous polymer filaments
US7923505B2 (en) 2002-07-02 2011-04-12 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. High-viscosity elastomeric adhesive composition
US20040006323A1 (en) * 2002-07-02 2004-01-08 Hall Gregory K. Garments using elastic strands to enhance performance of elastic barrier adhessive
US20050142339A1 (en) * 2003-12-30 2005-06-30 Price Cindy L. Reinforced elastic laminate
US8043984B2 (en) 2003-12-31 2011-10-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Single sided stretch bonded laminates, and methods of making same
US20060003656A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Efficient necked bonded laminates and methods of making same
US7651653B2 (en) 2004-12-22 2010-01-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Machine and cross-machine direction elastic materials and methods of making same
US20060131783A1 (en) * 2004-12-22 2006-06-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Machine and cross-machine direction elastic materials and methods of making same
US20070131367A1 (en) * 2005-12-12 2007-06-14 Mathews Jeffrey D Tissue containing relatively high basis weight buckled regions
US20070130713A1 (en) * 2005-12-14 2007-06-14 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Cleaning wipe with textured surface
EP1967628B2 (de) † 2007-03-08 2013-07-17 Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines Spinnvlieses
US9560950B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2017-02-07 Kao Corporation Bulky sheet and method for producing same
USD857402S1 (en) * 2016-09-01 2019-08-27 Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K. Seat belt material
USD858112S1 (en) 2016-09-01 2019-09-03 Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K. Seat belt material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2131063A1 (en) 1995-03-01
ATE189490T1 (de) 2000-02-15
CZ209194A3 (en) 1995-03-15
JPH07166456A (ja) 1995-06-27
MY111306A (en) 1999-10-30
TW276278B (es) 1996-05-21
US6030686A (en) 2000-02-29
ES2143529T3 (es) 2000-05-16
FI943962A (fi) 1995-03-01
DK0640708T3 (da) 2000-05-01
HUT68076A (en) 1995-05-29
AU5542098A (en) 1998-05-14
RU2132893C1 (ru) 1999-07-10
DE69422865D1 (de) 2000-03-09
JP2005256273A (ja) 2005-09-22
DE69422865T2 (de) 2000-07-27
EP0640708A1 (en) 1995-03-01
ZA946570B (en) 1996-02-28
US6509079B1 (en) 2003-01-21
HK1004232A1 (en) 1998-11-20
AU689785B2 (en) 1998-04-09
HU218724B (hu) 2000-11-28
AU716954B2 (en) 2000-03-09
SG83077A1 (en) 2001-09-18
CA2131063C (en) 2009-02-17
CZ289595B6 (cs) 2002-03-13
BR9403384A (pt) 1995-04-11
FI943962A0 (fi) 1994-08-29
HU9402498D0 (en) 1994-10-28
AU7157394A (en) 1995-04-27
AU8702498A (en) 1998-12-03
JP3691088B2 (ja) 2005-08-31
AU697274B2 (en) 1998-10-01
GR3033322T3 (en) 2000-09-29
EP0640708B1 (en) 2000-02-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5736219A (en) Absorbent nonwoven fabric
US5895623A (en) Method of producing apertured fabric using fluid streams
FI117340B (fi) Kutomaton kangas sekä laite ja menetelmä kutomattoman kankaan tuottamiseksi
US4297404A (en) Non-woven fabric comprising buds and bundles connected by highly entangled fibrous areas and methods of manufacturing the same
US5817400A (en) Absorbent articles with reduced cross-directional wrinkles
EP0644288B1 (en) Tricot nonwoven fabric
WO1993015701A1 (en) Textile-like apertured plastic films
US6430788B1 (en) Hydroentangled, low basis weight nonwoven fabric and process for making same
USRE38505E1 (en) Nonwoven fabrics having raised portions
GB2613982A (en) Three-dimensional nonwoven materials and methods of manufacturing thereof
US20240099899A1 (en) Methods of manufacturing zoned webs
KR100332443B1 (ko) 흡수성이개선된부직포
AU689061B2 (en) Textile-like apertured plastic films
CZ288668B6 (cs) Netkaná textilie, způsob její výroby a zařízení k provádění tohoto způsobu
AU7170400A (en) Tricot nonwoven fabric
IE920512A1 (en) Novel apertured non-woven fabric
NZ241649A (en) Binderless, apertured, non-woven fabrics; apparatus and method of production
WO2002055780A1 (en) Hydroentangles, low basis weight nonwoven fabric and process for making same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: PGI POLYMER, INC., SOUTH CAROLINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JOHNSON & JOHNSON;MCNEILL-PPC, INC.;REEL/FRAME:016522/0242

Effective date: 20050315

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT,

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:POLYMER GROUP, INC.;CHICOPEE, INC.;FIBERTECH GROUP, INC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016851/0624

Effective date: 20051122

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: CHICOPEE, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025754/0903

Effective date: 20110128

Owner name: POLYMER GROUP, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025754/0903

Effective date: 20110128

Owner name: PGI POLYMER, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025754/0903

Effective date: 20110128

AS Assignment

Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, DEL

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PGI POLYMER, INC.;REEL/FRAME:025756/0815

Effective date: 20110128

AS Assignment

Owner name: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NEW YORK

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PGI POLYMER, INC.;REEL/FRAME:025920/0430

Effective date: 20110128

AS Assignment

Owner name: PGI POLYMER, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:036712/0384

Effective date: 20151001

Owner name: PGI POLYMER, INC., NORTH CAROLINA

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CITIBANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:036714/0614

Effective date: 20151001